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ZACH TYLER ANDERSON ::: Guitar Ace of the Blu Razor Band Bends a Few for Pittsburgh Pointe News Pittsburgh Pointe News recently sat down with Zach Tyler Anderson, the lead guitarist, singer, songwriter and leader of one of Pittsburgh's hottest blues bands ­ The Blu Razor Band.

PPN: Who were your early guitar heroes?
Zach: My earliest influences in the 70's were all Southern Rock and blues players. Duane Allman & Richard Betts of the Allman Brothers, Gary Rossington and Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Hendrix and later, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Zach Wilde. Locally, my Uncle Emil Herby and Rick Mals from Canonsburg were major inspirations. PPN: How did you start playing guitar? Zach: I started on drums at age 8, and was OK, but had a major auto accident when I was 20, and wasn't able to use the drum pedals anymore. I was at Harmarville Rehabilitation, and my Uncle Emil Herby brought me a Fender acoustic to brighten my spirits. He showed me a few chords and I fell in love with the damn thing. My first song was Skynyrd's "Simple Man" and I still play it to this day. Played a lot of acoustic, but once I started to teach myself lead, I went to the electric in the mid 80's. My first gig was opening for Black Oak Arkansas in Bentleyville, PA. My earlier bands were the ABZ Band and Wheels of Steel Express, where I first started jamming with our bass player Barry Rowe and our drummer Scott Griedel. We formed Blue Razor in 1997, and Emil joined us in 1998.

PPN: Can you read music?
Zach: No way. All ears, feel, and practice. Can't even read tabs. PPN: Can anyone play guitar? Zach: I think you need to have music in your DNA; and a ton of brain, hand, eye and soul coordination. A lot of my relatives were musicians. In fact, my great Uncle Emil Brenkus still plays upright bass for the Boilermaker Jazz Band, and he's 90 years young!

PPN: Your CD "Blade" has an eerie song called "Daddy's Song" which is a bit, uh, different. (find Zach's original Daddy's Song at www.HometownRecords.com)
Zach: My dad passed away in 2002, and I wrote the song while he was still alive, but in jail. The song shows a lot of my anger, frustration and emotions ­ basically, "look at what you've done to yourself Dad." PPN: Your CD "Blade" has mostly originals and a few covers. Zach: We have 6 originals, and my favorite is "Don't Cry Little Baby" that I wrote for my step-Grandson Sammy Richter. We jam hard on the other 5, and cover ZZ Topp's "Fool For Your Lovin" and the blues standard "Five Long Years." We have nearly 10 new originals, and hope to record again in February. I've been writing with Vicky Hilderbrand Andreis, an old high-school friend, and an awesome singer and guitar player.

PPN: Do you like today's music?
Zach: I love all music, and like Alicia Keys, Velvet Revolver and some of the more raw stuff coming out. But my favorites are still classic rock, and I never miss Bumble Bee's Saturday blues show on WYEP. PPN: Favorite Pittsburgh musicians? Zach: We have great talent here, and I look up to all the players: Shari Richards, Tony Janflone Jr., B.E. Taylor, Billy Price, Moe's Black Magic with Andrea Pearl, Chismo Charles, Gil Snyder, the Houserockers, No Bad Ju-Ju, Kelly Ritchie Band, Jill West and so many more. PPN: Give us an idea of your band mates' talents. Zach: Emil, Scott and Barry all have over 30 years of experience, and they kick my ass in talent, music knowledge and stage presence. Emil and I have a friendly competition on lead guitar, and we continue to amaze each other as we get tighter and tighter. Barry Rowe is a bass playing and singing extraordinaire who has such a "radio voice" on any song that he masters. Scott Griedel has been my favorite drummer since the mid-90's and is the best rhythm drummer I've ever played with.

PPN: Prediction for the Steelers this year?
Zach: Originally I thought 10-6, but Big Ben, Ward and Plex are starting to gel. Deuce is THE MAN, and the defense looks better. So, I predict 12-4, with playoffs in our future. Go Steelers!!! PPN: Thanks Zach! Mark Caskey is Editor and Publisher of Pittsburgh Pointe News

Hi All,
What a trip!


Friday night BLU RAZOR competed against "some of the best blues musicians we have had the opportunity to share a stage with", as Zach so perfectly put it. After moving on to the finals on Saturday night, they again encountered some stiff competition. They played their hearts out......I can't remember the last time they played so sweet. It could not have been more perfect! All the work on the originals really paid off, they were great. I really thought they won, especially after hearing some congratulations from the competition. But, it wasn't meant to be. Although we did not win, we did not loose either. What a fabulous five days we had in Memphis. If you ever have a chance to go......go! Great people, great music. Beale Street is three blocks long and has 30 bars/restaurants. They actually close it off so that you can walk up and down the street. And there are musicians playing in the park and sometimes on the street corner. They use the sidewalk as their stage. It is so rich with musical history, you feel it everywhere you go. I may have even caught a glimpse of Elvis! We had such a good time! We met some great people, made some new friends. And get this....a Martin Scorsese film crew was there making a film about the blues and they filmed Zach while he was playing....they actually asked him to sign a release, so who knows maybe he will be a part of the film? Well since we just got home tonight about 8:30 pm (long 12 hour drive), I am ready to hit the hay. Next time we have a chance to talk I will tell you all about it. I have a big smile on my face! I just wanted all of our friends to know how much Barry, Emil, Scotty and Zach appreciate your support, especially this past year. We realize how truly lucky we are!


Cindy
xoxo


P.S. They will be playing between periods and after the Forge game on Friday night at Island Sports Center on Neville Island (for all you hockey fans), and we are traveling to Marietta on Saturday to complete our year and play at the Lafayette Hotel before they announce the 2002 winner, then we are off to the Brewery (a block down the street from the hotel) to play and host a jam.

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Help to keep Rhythms & Blues Alive in Australia. Miss Natasha 'Jayme' Hanjin - "CRUIZIN FOR A BLUEZIN" - 107.3 HERITAGE FM. JaymeNatasha@aol.com

I've included a link to our Website; which is under construction...
www.geocities.com/rhythmenblues

*BLU RAZOR won first place in the 9TH ANNUAL RIVER CITY OHIO BLUES COMPETITION in Marietta, Ohio, February 17, 2001. Judging was according to rules from The National Blues Foundation, using an average based on talent, blues content, originality, showmanship and overall impression. Each competitor was given 20 minutes. BLU RAZOR performed the Eric Clapton's FIVE LONG YEARS and original songs written by band member Zach Tyler titled DADDY'S SONG and KEEP ON DANCIN', and Emil Herby titled NEED YOUR LOVIN'. Festival contact person is Steve Wells (304) 483-0119.

BLU RAZOR will be competing at the INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE in Memphis, Tennessee in 2002.